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LIVE updates: Thousands of teachers, supporters walk out for more education funding

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Aixa Reina (center left) and Tara Sanchez, (center right) both special education teachers at Cartwright School District #83 in Phoenix, march from Chase Field in downtown Phoenix to the Arizona capitol on the first day of the Arizona teacher walkout on Thursday, April 26, 2018.
David Wallace/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Teachers march down Third Avenue during the Arizona teacher walkout in Phoenix on April 26, 2018.
Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Nate Kievert, (left) a music teacher at Deer Valley School District, cheers and plays music with other Arizona music teachers and band directors at the Arizona capitol on the first day of the Arizona teacher walkout on Thursday, April 26, 2018.
David Wallace/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Thousands march west on Washington toward the Capitol in Phoenix during the #RedForEd teacher walkout on Thursday, April 26, 2018,
Tom Tingle/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Teachers march down Washington during the Arizona teacher walkout in Phoenix on April 26, 2018.
Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Antonio Lozano, a music teacher at Sierra Linda High School and Julia Georges, a band director at Osborn Middle School and Clarendon Elementary School, cheer and play music with other Arizona music teachers and band directors at the Arizona capitol on the first day of the Arizona teacher walkout on Thursday, April 26, 2018.
David Wallace/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Protesters rally at the state Capitol on April 26, 2018.
Andrew Nicla/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Ryan Mogull, 5, of Phoenix, shows his support for the Arizona teacher walkout during a march to the Capitol in Phoenix on April 26, 2018.
Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Thousands march west on Washington toward the Capitol in Phoenix during the #RedForEd teacher walkout on Thursday, April 26, 2018,
Tom Tingle/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Thousands of people show their support for the Arizona teacher walkout at the state Capitol in Phoenix on April 26, 2018.
Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Supporters board a school bus after marching to the state Capitol during the Arizona teacher walkout in Phoenix on April 26, 2018.
Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Thousands march west on Washington toward the Capitol in Phoenix during the #RedForEd teacher walkout on Thursday, April 26, 2018,
Tom Tingle/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Thousands of people show their support for the Arizona teacher walkout as they march to the state capital in Phoenix on April 26, 2018.
Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Teachers march down Washington during the Arizona teacher walkout in Phoenix on April 26, 2018.
Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Supporters of the Arizona teacher walkout take photos of the crowd gathering at Chase Field before the march in Phoenix on April 26, 2018.
Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Teachers and other supporters sit in at the Arizona capitol on the first day of the Arizona teacher walkout on Thursday, April 26, 2018.
David Wallace/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Teachers march down Third Avenue during the Arizona teacher walkout in Phoenix on April 26, 2018.
Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Teachers march down Washington Street during the Arizona teacher walkout in Phoenix on April 26, 2018.
Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Katherina Martin (from left), 17, of Surprise; Lilly Nab, 16, of Surprise; teacher Tiffany Velsco, 32, of Queen Creek;
and Mesa teacher Christine Dulberg, 29, show their support for the Arizona teacher walkout at the state Capitol in Phoenix on April 26, 2018.
Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Thousands of people show their support for the Arizona teacher walkout at the state Capitol in Phoenix on April 26, 2018.
Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona teachers march to the Arizona state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona teachers march to the state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Protesters rally at the state Capitol on April 26, 2018.
Andrew Nicla/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona teachers march to the Arizona state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona teachers march to the Arizona state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona teachers march to the Arizona state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Parents, students and educators supporting #RedForEd walk toward the Arizona state Capitol on April 26, 2018.
Nick Oza/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Parents, students and educators supporting #RedForEd walk toward the Arizona state Capitol on April 26, 2018.
Nick Oza/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona teachers march to the Arizona state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Heather Labelle of the Royal Palm Middle School Washington Elementary School district sits in traffic on her way to the #RedForEd walk to the Arizona state Capitol on April 26, 2018.
Nick Oza/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Chris Erickson and Sue Hennessy hold a sign urging Gov. Ducey to invest in teachers, schools and education. They joined with parents, students and educators supporting #RedForEd on their walk toward the Arizona state Capitol on April 26, 2018.
Nick Oza/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Parents, students and educators supporting #RedForEd walks towards the Arizona state Capitol on April 26, 2018.
Nick Oza/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Parents, students and educators supporting #RedForEd walk toward the Arizona state Capitol on April 26, 2018.
Nick Oza/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona teachers march to the Arizona State Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Parents, students and educators supporting #RedForEd walk toward the Arizona state Capitol on April 26, 2018.
Nick Oza/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Parents, students and educators supporting #RedForEd walk toward the Arizona state Capitol on April 26, 2018.
Nick Oza/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona teachers march to the Arizona state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Protesters rally at the state Capitol on April 26, 2018.
Andrew Nicla/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Protesters rally at the state Capitol on April 26, 2018.
Andrew Nicla/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Parents, students and educators supporting #RedForEd walk toward the Arizona state Capitol on April 26, 2018.
Nick Oza/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Parents, students and educators supporting #RedForEd walk toward the Arizona state Capitol on April 26, 2018.
Nick Oza/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona teachers march to the Arizona state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Tom Salamone of Phoenix, a volunteer at Sunnyslope Elementary in Phoenix, holds a sign while marching with his wife, Katharine Salamone, a teacher at Sunnyslope Elementary, while marching from Chase Field in downtown Phoenix to the Arizona Capitol on the first day of the Arizona teacher walkout on Thursday, April 26, 2018.
David Wallace/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Tucson teachers carpooled to Phoenix for the #RedForEd rally at the state Capitol on April 26, 2018.
Mary Jo Pitzl/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Teachers and supporters march to the state Capitol in Phoenix on April 26, 2018.
Nick Oza/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Teachers and supporters march to the state Capitol in Phoenix on April 26, 2018.
Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Marisol Garcia, an eighth- grade social studies teacher at Morris K. Udall Middle School in Phoenix, marches from Chase Field in downtown Phoenix to the Arizona Capitol on the first day of the Arizona teacher walkout on April 26, 2018.
David Wallace/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Marisol Garcia, an eighth- grade social studies teacher at Morris K. Udall Middle School in Phoenix, marches from Chase Field in downtown Phoenix to the Arizona Capitol on the first day of the Arizona teacher walkout on April 26, 2018.
David Wallace/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Teachers and other supporters march from Chase Field in downtown Phoenix to the Arizona capitol on the first day of the Arizona teacher walkout on April 26, 2018.
David Wallace/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Karl Evans, a physical education teacher at Imagine Schools in Tempe, marches from Chase Field in downtown Phoenix to the Arizona Capitol on the first day of the Arizona teacher walkout April 26, 2018.
David Wallace/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

A child marches from Chase Field in downtown Phoenix to the Arizona Capitol on the first day of the Arizona teacher walkout on April 26, 2018.
David Wallace/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Gov. Doug Ducey answers questions about the Arizona teacher walkout on April 26, 2018, in the lobby at The Arizona Republic in Phoenix.
Mark Henle/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas answers questions about the Arizona teacher walkout on April 26, 2018, in the lobby at The Arizona Republic in Phoenix.
Mark Henle, Mark Henle/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Less than half a mile from the #Red4Ed crowds, Capitol Elementary School sits empty on April 26, 2018. Two striking teachers just showed up to see it, then climbed into an Uber and drove away.
Alden Woods/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Gov. Doug Ducey answers questions about the Arizona teacher walkout on April 26, 2018, in the lobby at The Arizona Republic in Phoenix.
Mark Henle, Mark Henle/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Teachers and other supporters gather in front of Chase Field in downtown Phoenix to march to the Arizona Capitol on the first day of the Arizona teacher walkout, April 26, 2018.
David Wallace/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona Superintendent of Public Instruction Diane Douglas answers questions about the Arizona teacher walkout on April 26, 2018, in the lobby at The Arizona Republic in Phoenix.
Mark Henle/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Teachers and other supporters march in front of a billboard of Fox 10 news anchor Kari Lake in front of the Fox 10 building while marching from Chase Field in downtown Phoenix to the Arizona Capitol on the first day of the Arizona teacher walkout April 26, 2018. Lake made a controversial tweet connecting the #RedForEd movement with the legalization of marijuana in the state.
David Wallace/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Thousands of teachers and supporters march to the Arizona state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018.
Nick Oza/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Teachers and other supporters gather in front of Chase Field in downtown Phoenix to march to the Arizona Capitol on the first day of the Arizona teacher walkout, April 26, 2018.
David Wallace/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Teachers and supporters march down Jefferson Street on the way to the state Capitol during the Arizona teacher walkout in Phoenix on April 26, 2018.
Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Teachers and supporters march down Washington Street on the way to the state Capitol during the Arizona teacher walkout in Phoenix on April 26, 2018.
Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Teachers and supporters march down Washington Street on the way to the state Capitol during the Arizona teacher walkout in Phoenix on April 26, 2018.
Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

#RedForEd marchers pass the federal courthouse in downtown Phoenix on the way to the state Capitol on April 26, 2018. Jose Valencia could be heard drumming cadences for the crowd.
Jerod MacDonald-Evoy/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Reporter Alden Woods writes, "From here, the line of #red4ed marchers has no visible end. I don’t know how they’re going to get 30,000 more people around the Capitol. It’s already jammed."
Alden Woods/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Teachers and supporters march to the Arizona state Capitol on April 26, 2018, in support of more education funding.
Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona teachers march to the Arizona state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Andrea Lara of Mesa joins the Arizona teachers' march to the Arizona state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April. 26, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Mountain Trails Middle School teacher Lynne McKernan joins the Arizona teachers' march to the Arizona state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona teachers march to the Arizona state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona teachers march to the Arizona state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Teachers prepare to march down Washington Street during the Arizona teacher walkout in Phoenix on April 26, 2018.
Cheryl Evans/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona teachers march to the Arizona state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona teachers march to the Arizona state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

William Robles leads the Phoenix walkout march in a bull costume in 90-degree heat on April 26, 2018. The suit is a symbol, asking state leaders to not "bully" teachers.
Ricardo Cano/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

A painted #RedForEd vehicle window April 26, 2018, in the Park & Ride lot at Main and Sycamore in Mesa.
Mark Henle/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

A painted #RedForEd vehicle window April 26, 2018, in the Park & Ride lot at Main and Sycamore in Mesa.
Mark Henle/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

A painted #RedForEd vehicle window April 26, 2018, in the Park & Ride lot at Main and Sycamore in Mesa.
Mark Henle/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

A painted RedForEd vehicle windows, April 26, 2018, in the Park & Ride lot at Main and Sycamore, Mesa.
Mark Henle/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

A painted #RedForEd vehicle window April 26, 2018, in the Park & Ride lot at Main and Sycamore in Mesa.
Mark Henle/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

A painted #RedForEd vehicle window April 26, 2018, in the Park & Ride lot at Main and Sycamore in Mesa.
Mark Henle/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

A painted #RedForEd vehicle window April 26, 2018, in the Park & Ride lot at Main and Sycamore in Mesa.
Mark Henle/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Tom Melendez and Chelsey Carney are sixth-grade teachers in Mesa. “This is about more than teacher salaries,” Tom says. Their school counselor has a caseload of 1,200 students. “We are fighting for more than just a salary,” Chelsey says.
Jerod MacDonald-Evoy/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Chandler parent Jennifer Jermaine and Artie Blanco of the AFL-CIO in Las Vegas take pictures of union members on the floor of the Arizona House at the invitation of Arizona state Rep. Richard Andrade.
Richard Ruelas/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Red is everywhere on April 25, 2018: At Starbucks, a group of teachers are making signs for rally.
Grace Palmieri/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

A painted #RedForEd vehicle window April 26, 2018, in the Park & Ride lot at Main and Sycamore in Mesa.
Mark Henle/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

A painted #RedForEd vehicle window April 26, 2018, in the Park & Ride lot at Main and Sycamore in Mesa.
Mark Henle/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

A painted #RedForEd vehicle window April 26, 2018, in the Park & Ride lot at Main and Sycamore in Mesa.
Mark Henle/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Candice Brownd takes a selfie with her colleagues, friends and family at the #Red4Ed rally. She teaches second grade at Copper Trails School in the Avondale School District.
Adrian Marsh/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Teacher Tracey Clark hands out Red Vines during the teacher walkout on April 26, 2018. She has been teaching at Trevor Browne High School in Phoenix for 27 years.
Adrian Marsh/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona teachers gather at Chase Field as they prepare to march to the Arizona state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona teachers gather at Chase Field as they prepare to march to the Arizona state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Students and parents join the Arizona teachers' march to the Arizona state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona teachers march to the state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona teachers gather at Chase Field as they prepare to march to the Arizona state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona teachers prepare to march to the Arizona state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona teachers gather at Chase Field as they prepare to march to the Arizona state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona teachers gather at Chase Field as they prepare to march to the Arizona state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018, in Phoenix.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

A number of creative signs are seen on the way to the walkout in downtown Phoenix.
Adrian Marsh/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

A number of creative signs are seen on the way to the walkout in downtown Phoenix.
Adrian Marsh/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Teachers and other supporters gather in front of Chase Field in downtown Phoenix to march to the Arizona capitol on the first day of the Arizona teacher walkout on Thursday, April 26, 2018.
David Wallace/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

A number of creative signs are seen on the way to the walkout in downtown Phoenix.
Adrian Marsh/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

A number of creative signs are seen on the way to the walkout in downtown Phoenix.
Adrian Marsh/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

On Central at Camelback in Phoenix, the light-rail station is packed with #Red4Ed supporters.
Lily Altavena/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Reservation teachers at Tuba City rally on April 26, 2018.
Special for The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Anne Grass, a librarian for Madison Traditional Acadmey, believes more funding can buy books and other things for schools. “I hope the legislature will listen to the bigger picture.”
Lauren Castle/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Duane Yazzie is a teacher from Window Rock Unified School District in Fort Defiance.
Duane Yazzie/Special for The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

As of about 9 a.m. on April 26, 2018, Eagles Community Center in the Mesa Public Schools district had registered 38 kids, but say they have a capacity for hundreds. Eagles is providing services for special-education students in Mesa.
Lorraine Longhi/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Reader Alan Ramage submitted this photo, writing, " Teachers from Snowflake posted this banner. This is how most educators feel."
Alan Ramage/Special for The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Kindergartner Reef Dowdy
waits while his mom, Melissa Dowdy, signs him in on April 26, 2018, at Webster Recreation Center in Mesa.
Mark Henle/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

First-grader Jadyen Martinez and his grandfather Abe Granillo wait for the Webster Recreation Center to open in Mesa.
Mark Henle/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Parents sign in their children April 26, 2018, at Webster Recreation Center in Mesa.
Mark Henle/The Republic

Arizona #RedForEd teacher walkout April 26

Aixa Reina (center left) and Tara Sanchez, (center right) both special education teachers at Cartwright School District #83 in Phoenix, march from Chase Field in downtown Phoenix to the Arizona capitol on the first day of the Arizona teacher walkout on Thursday, April 26, 2018.

A team of Arizona Republic and azcentral.com reporters and photographers are covering the historic #RedForEd walkout in real-time.

CLOSE

Arizona teachers and supporters march west on Washington toward the Capitol in Phoenix during the #RedForEd teacher walkout, Thursday, April 26, 2018.
Tom Tingle, The Republic | azcentral.com

1:45 p.m.: Rally tomorrow, no march

There will be no march tomorrow; just a rally at the Capitol.

Marisol Garcia, the vice president of the Arizona Education Association, said they cut the program short by about five speakers because of the heat.

“We just wanted to make sure our colleagues were safe,” she said.

She vowed that the crowd would return tomorrow and continue to make its statement.

Arizona teachers march to the Arizona state Capitol during a walkout for higher pay and more education funding on April 26, 2018, in Phoenix.(Photo: Rob Schumacher/The Republic)

1:30 p.m.: Event is adjourned

Organizers were loudly booed when they announced the Senate had adjourned early. A few minutes later, organizers also announced they would be ending the event due to the heat, which hit 95 degrees. The program was supposed to last until 4:30 p.m.

The announced they will return to the Capitol at 10 a.m. Friday. (The time later was changed to 9 a.m.)

After calling off the event due to heat, organizer Noah Karvelis returned to the stage.

“Take everything you brought with you,” he said, reminding the thousands of people still crowded around the Capitol to return Friday morning.

“What I think we’re gonna do is come down here and say, ‘We’re here, where are you?’ ” Karvelis told a woman who asked about Friday’s plans.

1:30 p.m.: Tucson rally

Being born here in Tucson, a graduate of Mountain View HS in Marana, I couldn't be more energized by the educators, their families, and the students of #RedForEd. This is being the change you want to see! pic.twitter.com/VF44MRErzh

1:30 p.m.: ‘Just so frustrated’

“I have seen the classrooms overcrowded and teaches using rusty equipment,” she said. “Some schools have computers for every kid and some schools have no computers. I don’t think it’s right.”

She said she has two close friends who live at home with their pareents becase they can’t afford to pay rent.

She said she attended the rally becaue she wanted her children to see how American democracy works.

“I think they should give teachers more than they’re asking for,” she said. “I’m just so frustrated. I don’t think a teacher should have to work two jobs.”

CLOSE

Diverse voices support the “Red For Ed” movement as thousands march to the Arizona capitol on the first day of the Arizona teacher walkout.
David Wallace, The Republic | azcentral.com

1:30 p.m.: Student wants to see 20% pay increase

Brenda Batres, a theater education major at Grand Canyon University, said she has a friend who is a teacher and several majoring in education.

She said she hopes to see the 20 percent pay increase, as well as an increase in overall funding and more respect for teachers in general.

Brenda Batres, a theater education major, rallied at the Capitol for her future students on April 26, 2018.(Photo: Adrian Marsh/The Republic)

1:25 p.m.: Thunderbird teachers share stories

Bob Falk is a Thunderbird High School special education teacher who has taught for 29 years.

“I’m here because for longer than the 29 years I’ve been teaching, the state hasn’t funded education sufficiently, in my opinion,” he said. “The state spending amount for each student should be the highest priority.”

Leigh Devoto, who teaches English language learners at Thunderbird, has been teaching for 28 years.

“Class sizes need to be smaller,” she said, saying she has a 14-year-old son who has 50 students in one of his classes.

1:15 p.m. Woman collapses

Organizers called emergency services to the stage area, where a woman had collapsed.

“They’re dropping everywhere,” a staffer said regarding people and the heat, which was compounded by the size of the crowd.

Organizes said they were going to cut the program short due to the heat issues.

1 p.m.: The show will go on

Students and staff at Wickenburg High School are banding together to pull off their spring musical, which was scheduled for Thursday and Friday, the same days the school is closed for walkouts.

The musical, which is called “We Will Rock You” and features the music of Queen, was scheduled for the Del E Webb Center for the Performing Arts, which is on the high school’s campus.

“Three of the teachers working with the students have agreed not to walk out so they can help the students. The entire staff of the Webb Center, including our Box office, technical crew and our volunteers will be on hand to make their experience successful,” said Cathy Weiss, the center’s executive director.

She also said people have set up carpools to bring students who live outside Wickenburg, and that the school’s Arts Booster Club is providing food for the students through the two-day period.

12:45 p.m.: House invasion

Dozens of #RedForEd supporters filled the Arizona House gallery as members began their Thursday session. They clapped and chanted as Democratic lawmakers rose to speak. They also clapped as a Republican lawmaker spoke generally in support of 20 percent raises.

Rep. Ken Clark, D-Phoenix, said the Legislature must support a sustainable plan to fund teacher raises and education, not Ducey’s “magical” revenue projections

“We shall not fall for that,” Clark said to cheers from the crowd.

Rep. Isela Blanc, D-Tempe, said the state’s education funding crisis is a result of 17 years of corporate tax cuts that have sucked money out of the public school system.

“This is not a crisis made overnight,” she said. “It is a crisis of over close to two decades.”

CLOSE

As the Arizona House went into recess Thursday, #Red4Ed supporters chanted “Today we march, tomorrow we vote!”
Dustin Gardiner, The Republic | azcentral.com

The ad features audio of Ducey announcing his plan, though the audio is hollow and distant. The ad concludes with the clear sound of a crowd cheering.

The ad began airing April 20, according to the RGA. It deemed it a campaign ad in the bid to re-elect Ducey.

A document obtained by The Republic showed $60,774 in airtime purchased on cable systems starting Friday and extending to May 10. Much of the money, $46,820, is spent on the Cox cable system in Phoenix, according to the document, with ads airing on channels that include Bravo, Lifetime, Food Network and TLC.

A spokesperson for the Republican Governors Association, Jon Thompson, would not confirm the amount of the ad buy, saying that figure was part of the group’s campaign strategy.

Thompson did say the RGA could swap out the teacher pay raise ad for another should the issue be resolved before May 10.

12:45 p.m.: Former governor watching

Former Republican Gov. Jan Brewer was watching the #RedForEd rally play out, weighing in on Twitter. Brewer during the recession pushed through a temporary one-cent sales tax for education. It has since expired.

12:30 p.m.: A silent school

Less than half a mile from the crowds, Capitol Elementary School sat empty. The gates were locked. The electronic sign out front broadcasts the day’s closing in English and Spanish.

At about 12:30 p.m., as the last of the marchers crammed around the Capitol buildings, two teachers leaned against a black fence that surrounded the school.

“See that room, right there?” said one teacher, who supported the walkout but said her boss wouldn’t want her to talk to the media. She pointed through the fence at a locked blue door. “That’s mine.”

A few minutes later, she climbed into an Uber and rode away.

CLOSE

#RedForEd supporters march from Chase Field to the Arizona State Capitol on April 26,2018 to fight for education.
The Republic | azcentral.com

12:30 p.m.: 50,000 people there

Phoenix police are not releasing an official count of the crowd size at the march and the Capitol rally. But Phoenix Councilwoman Kate Gallego tweeted that police had told her the crowd was at about 50,000.

12:15 p.m. Free lunch plans

Free lunch is underway at Frank Elementary in the small town of Guadalupe.

Of the 516 students who attend Frank Elementary, 99 percent qualify for free and reduced lunch, according to principal Martha Jacobo-Smith.

The town of Guadalupe sits adjacent to Tempe and Ahwatukee, with a heavy Yaqui and Mexican culture.

Approximately 62 percent of the town’s population is Hispanic, and 40 percent American Indian or Alaskan Native, according to the U.S. Census.

By 11:40, approximately 50 students had shown up for the free lunch, according to Jacobo-Smith, twice the number of total students who showed up for the breakfast service.

Karissa Martinez is a stay-at-home mom with two daughters and a niece that attend Frank, as well as family members that are teachers.

While the walkout wasn’t an inconvenience for her day, she said many in her community were affected, so she appreciated that the schools offered free and reduced lunch.

“It’s good that the schools didn’t just forget about them,” Martinez said.

The Tempe Elementary School District provided free breakfast and lunch service to all students 18 years and younger, not just students in the Tempe Elementary district.

12:15 p.m.: '20 percent is not enough'

Amanda Zeeb from Scottsdale brought her children to show their support.

Zeeb said she's "fed up" with the way the state has treated public school teachers. Although she said she would support any kind of pay raises including Ducey's plan, she said it would not even come close to what they deserve.

"20 percent is not enough," Zeeb said. "They deserve so much more than they're getting, and I hope they get it. I'm just here to do my small part."

Noon: No budget or Ducey plan?

The Arizona Senate has adjourned until Monday, meaning there will be no formal proposal or vote on a budget or Gov. Doug Ducey's pay raise plan for the next several days.

Noon: 'Amazing' turnout

Rebecca Garelli, an Arizona Educators United organizer and teacher in the Alhambra Elementary School Distict, described Thursday's turnout as "amazing."

Tens of thousands of educators and their supporters were atlready at the Capitol as of 11:45 sa.m.

"This is exactly the turnout I hoped and expected for," Garelli said.

CLOSE

Teachers and supporters walk and rally to the state Capitol on April 26, 2018.
Cheryl Evans, azcentral.com

11:45: 'Teacher is more than just an educator'

Local comedian and former teacher Iesha Renee posted a video criticizing parents who tell their children that their teachers are walking out on them.

“You don’t realize, a teacher is more than just an educator. When your children come to school and they’re having a bad day because of the chaos that you create at home, we become their counselors,” she said.

“We’re providing food for them when they late because you drop them off late and they’re missed breakfast. We do that. And you got the audacity to say somebody is abandoning them? As a parent you are ungrateful when you tell your children that and you’re not helping them any because we love your children and they love us.”

She said she had to leave her job as a teacher so that she could provide for her four children.

Her video had been viewed that had been viewed more than 11,000 times as of Thursday morning.

11:40 a.m.: Teens share thoughts

Teens shared their thoughts on the walkout on Twitter, with many defending the teachers while others were frustrated with having to miss school.

“I hate how people keep saying that ‘the students are hurting during a walkout.’ We’ve been hurting. We go to school every day in crumbling classrooms, use dated textbooks as references, and our teachers buy their own supplies. NOT TO MENTION people aren’t getting paid,” one high school student tweeted.

Another viral tweet from an account for a University of Arizona student asked others to retweet “if you went to school in Arizona and you’ve heard your teacher say ‘I bought these with my own money’ more than once.” It was retweeted more than 11,000 times.

RT if you went to school in Arizona and you’ve heard your teacher say “I bought these with my own money” more than once https://t.co/6Prno6w6nL

On the other end of the debate, one high school student posted “I love the idea of a four day weekend as much as the next guy but the idea that the spirit assembly I’ve been working on for months is in jeopardy and I’m missing out on needed AP class time really makes the argument ‘it’s for students’ seem disingenuous.”

11:30: Republican lawmaker weighs in

Rep. Paul Boyer, R-Phoenix, a charter school teacher, had just arrived at the Capitol as the marchers arrived. He stood for a few seconds to observe the crowd.

He said he'd just arrived from teaching. He said he wanted to be in the classroom for his students.

Asked what he thought of the rally's turnout, Boyer said, "I think that students will learn little from chanting and more from classroom instruction."

11:30 a.m.: Salvation Army food help

The Salvation Army is offering food services at locations across Arizona.

Families are able to pick up lunch kits for their children. Locations are staffed with community volunteers to help with the added need.

Fry’s offered food to the organization to help with Thursday and Friday needs, according to Major Nancy Dihle.

Dihle recalls the grocery store company calling the Salvation Army asking, “How can we support you support the students?”

The Salvation Army expects each location across the state to serve 100 families per day from Thursday to Friday.

Locations regularly offer programming to students after school and plan to continue during the walkout.

“We are going to continue to engage all of the kids in our program,” Dihle said.

The organization offered daycare at its Ray and Joan Kroc Corps location for a small fee.

11:15 a.m.: 30,000 marchers

Phoenix police in an unofficial estimate said there are roughly 30,000 people at #red4ed walkout march, saying it spans at least 1.5 miles.

Police later said they are not releasing official estimates.

11 a.m.: March has begun

As of 10:55 a.m., the sea of red marchers reached the intersection of Washington Street and 3rd Avenue. Along every corner and block, supporters have lined up on sidewalks, smartphones on hand, to document the historic march.

William Robles, a supporter of the #RedForEd movement, was dressed in a bull costume, a couple of yards ahead of the massive blob of marchers.

He beat a small drum to the tune of marchers' chants.

Robles, a Guadalupe resident, said his costume was symbolic: He wants "Gov. (Doug) Ducey and state lawmakers to stop bullying teachers."

CLOSE

Educators in Arizona began marching toward the Capitol from Chase Field at about 11 a.m. on April 26, 2018.
Ricardo Cano, The Republic | azcentral.com

10:45 a.m.: About more than just teacher pay

Candice Brownd has taught for six years. She teaches second grade at Copper Trails School in Avondale and went to Chase Field to march.

“We are fighting for our kids, or students," she said. "They deserve better.”

She wanted to clarify: "A lot of people think all the teachers are out here for their own pay, but we are out here for funding for classroom and kids."

10:30 a.m.: Overloaded counselors

Tom Melendez and Chelsey Carney are both sixth-grade teachers in Mesa and said the walkout is about more than teacher salaries.

"We are here to protect our kids," Carney said.

Their school counselor has a caseload of 1,200 kids and works at another school as well, Melendez said. The two worry about kids who need help but are not getting it due to this. They want to see pay raises for support staff as well.

Tom Melendez and Chelsey Carney , both sixth-grade teachers in Mesa, participated in the walkout on April 26, 2018.(Photo: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy)

10 a.m.: More light-rail trains

In order to accommodate the flood of educators and supporters coming downtown today, Valley Metro light rail expanded service.

Valley Metro spokeswoman Hillary Foose confirmed that the company added more three-car trains to add more capacity in response to expected demand, much like they do for concerts or festivals.

Light-rail cars were packed with people wearing red Thursday morning and heading to the march.

A group of about 12 teachers from the Tolleson, Deer Valley and Paradise Valley school districts walked from the light-rail station at Jefferson and First Avenue toward Chase Field. They made a pitstop in CVS to buy red lip stick — all in support of higher pay for teachers and support staff and increased funding for Arizona schools.

CLOSE

Thousands of teacher will gather at the Arizona State Capitol for the #RedForEd march on April 26.
David Wallace, The Republic | azcentral.com

9:45 a.m.: 'They want to teach'

Sharon Herakovich of Mesa showed up at about 9 a.m. outside the State Capitol to support her daughter, Elissa, who is a first-grade teacher at Holmes Elementary in Mesa.

Herakovich took the day off from running her home-based, internet business and began lugging supplies from her car to make a day of it. She spread a blanket onto the ground and lugged in several coolers.

Her provisions for the day included ham and salami for sandwiches, two cases of water and assorted fruit: watermelon, cantaloupe, grapes and apples.

CLOSE

Teachers from across Arizona met at Chase Field in downtown Phoenix before marching to the Arizona State Captiol in support of higher teacher pay and school funding.
Jerod MacDonald-Evoy, The Republic | azcentral.com

Her daughter and other teachers planned to meet up with her once they marched in from Chase Field.

“I’ve been rallying with them all week and trying to support them,” she said as she wiped sweat from her face with a paper towel.

Herakovich said she hopes the sea of red shirts outside the Capitol leads to a solution and higher pay for teachers.

“I hope we can all get together and agree to something. And then they can get back to their schools, back to their kids and back to teaching. They want to teach.”

9:30 a.m.: 'It's not OK'

Katherine Reddy, 27, is an American history teacher at Westwood High School in Mesa and was at Chase Field.

"It's not OK that my gut reaction is to tell kids who want to be teachers that they shouldn't," Reddy said, adding that state politicians need to prioritize education.

Jose Valencia is a junior at Corona del Sol High SChool in Tempe and a member of the school band's drum line.

He said he is marching with his teachers, and his drum, because they "deserve way more."

He said his only concern is that he hopes the walkout doesn't send out "negative vibes."

Tempe Corona del Sol High School junior Jose Valencia brought his drum to the walkout march on April 26, 2018.(Photo: Jerod MacDonald-Evoy)

9 a.m.: Teachers hop on the light rail

Hundreds of educators and supporters from Mesa Public Schools had gathered on the light rail station at Dobson and Sycamore to make their way down to Chase Field for the #RedForEd march to the Capitol.

Dozens of cars honked in support of teachers as they gathered on the light rail platform.

Douglas Hedin said his children all grew up through the Mesa Public Schools system and that he supports the movement.

While Hedin had concerns about the number of children that would be effected by a two-day school shutdown, he said he was impressed by the efforts made by Mesa to accommodate the students.

“I’ve been seeing that the city is providing food and free places for them to go, so I’m feeling a little bit better about the whole thing,” he said. “I’ve been very impressed with what they’re doing.”

Hedin will march with teachers from Chase Field to the Arizona State Capitol at 10 a.m. on the first day of teacher walkouts.

Other educators and supporters from across the Valley arrived at downtown Phoenix light-rail stations shortly after 9:30 a.m.

Dozens of teachers wait at a light-rail station in Mesa before heading to downtown Phoenix on April 26, 2018.(Photo: Lorraine Longhi/The Republic)

8:35 a.m.: Ducey urges parents to contact lawmakers

Gov. Doug Ducey, in a televised interview Thursday morning, said he hoped to strike a deal with the Legislature over his teacher pay raise package on the first day of the walkout and urged viewers to contact their lawmakers to support it.

“Please find your legislator and tell them you want to see a 20 percent raise by 2020,” he said in the interview on Channel 3, KTVK-TV. “That’s the best thing people can do right now to make this happen.”

To parents, I understand the pain & pressure caused by today’s strike. I'm working to get this 20% raise passed. Call/email your legislator & tell them to vote “yes” on a 20% pay raise for teachers [https://t.co/3WZKtPfGEy]. We need teachers teaching, and students learning. 3/3

Ducey said he made phone calls and had legislators in his office late into the evening Wednesday. He said he began working the phones again Thursday.

“I would like to have an announcement that we have struck a deal,” Ducey said.

Ducey has proposed a 9 percent raise next year, coupled with planned 5 percent raises the following two years. Adding in the 1 percent given this year would result in a 20 percent raise by the year 2020.

On Wednesday, Senate President Steve Yarbough said in a statement that Senate Republicans were united behind the plan. That leaves the House, where Republicans had met in small groups with the governor and members of his staff this week.

Emotional speeches on the House floor both Wednesday and Thursday hinted at discord in the body.

8:30 a.m.: Students with special needs cared for in Mesa

Special education teachers are volunteering to help students with special needs at the Eagles Community Center, formerly Mesa Junior High, on 828 E. Broadway Road.

Eagles is one of four community centers Mesa Public Schools has opened for free drop-in services during the walkout.

By 8:30 a.m. staff said that 38 students had been signed up for the day, but the center has a capacity for several hundred, according to district employee Alissa Gonzalez.

“We’re welcoming every student that comes to our door that may have special needs,” Gonzalez said.

The center has partnered with the city of Mesa to provide a nurse and special education staff to help students who bring their Individualized Education Plan or specific medications with them to drop-in service.

Gonzalez said her biggest about a potential walkout was meeting the needs of special education students.

-- Lorraine Longhi

One of the four community centers open in Mesa, Eagles Community Center is hosting special education teachers who are volunteering during the teacher walkout on April 26, 2018.(Photo: Lorraine Longhi/The Republic)

8:30 a.m.: Maryvale YMCA open for students

Karen Davis woke up at 4 a.m. today, her mind racing. The executive director of the Maryvale YMCA wasn't sure how her Thursday would go — would zero kids show up or would 100?

At 8:30 a.m., she said there were about three kids at the location for childcare and was actually seeing what she calls a "reverse effect." Where a lot of parents usually crowd the Y's parking lot to work out, this morning there were fewer cars and fewer people.

"We're seeing parents stay home with their kids," Davis said, noting that Maryvale is a multigenerational community, where grandparents are available to take care of kids of working parents.

Her location doesn't usually run a day camp, but is running one today. The YMCA is right next to a charter school, Pioneer Preparatory Academy and half of a mile away from an elementary school in the Cartwright district.

"We just don't know," she said.

-- Lily Altavena

8:30 a.m.: People gather at Chase Field

About 8:30 a.m. group of about 60 educators and marchers had gathered outside Chase Field and several others were seen wandering throughout downtown Phoenix.

Marchers are not expected to gather in large numbers until about 10 a.m. -- an hour before educators' two-mile march to the Capitol.

Temperatures could hit triple digits Thursday and organizers have advised marchers and rally-goers to wear hats and sunscreen and stay hydrated.

The statewide walkout has impacted 850,000 students due to closures, azcentral has found.

-- Ricardo Cano

Educators and supporters will march from Chase Field to the Arizona Capitol at 11 a.m.(Photo: Ricardo Cano/The Republic)

8:00 a.m.: Maryvale Boy and Girls Club hosting students

Outside the Boys and Girls Club on 67th Avenue in Maryvale, two young girls in high ponytails skip out of mom Shannon Barnella's car. The drop off point for the club is a constant stream of cars and kids hopping out by 8 a.m.

Barnella is not happy her kids are missing a day of school. Usually, her daughters attend Sunset Elementary and another school in the Cartwright District. Today, they're spending the whole day at Boys and Girls Club. She works at a daycare.

"They (her kids) still have homework," she said. "They get mad at us when (kids) miss a day."

Next door, Pioneer Preparatory Academy Principal Jarret Sharp stands outside of his school, which is closed today. He's supportive of the walkout, and the school has arranged for other places for the kids to go-- both the YMCA and Boys and Girls Club are walking distance from the school.

Berenice Miranda works as a health aid at Pioneer and is a school parent of two kids, ages 7 and 8. She's an hourly worker so she isn't getting paid today. But she's encouraged that her colleagues are standing up and walking out.

"Teachers do a lot for our kids," she said.

-- Lily Altavena

8 a.m.: Mesa community centers opened for students

Dozens of parents and children were gathered outside of Webster Recreation Center in Mesa Thursday morning on the first day of the teacher walkouts.

Mesa Public Schools opened four community centers during the walkout to provide free, supervised activities for children from kindergarten through sixth grade from 7:30 a.m. to 5 :30 p.m.

Free breakfast and lunch is also being provided by the district at each location.

Reporters Kaila White and Ricardo Cano explain what is known about Thursday's walkouts, who will be affected and what effects the walkouts might have.
Kaila White and Ricardo Cano and William Flannigan and Nicholas Serpa, The Republic | azcentral.com

Abe Granillo was dropping off his son, who attends Webster Elementary in Mesa, for the whole day.

“They’re very lenient with your work hours,” said Granillo of the Webster center. “It helps out a lot.”

Granillo’s son, Jayden, said the center has several activities that he enjoys doing throughout the day.

“What I like about it is it gets me moving and it helps me learn,” he said.

Granillo said the walkout has interrupted their daily schedule slightly, but that it’s all worth it.

“I’m going to go in a little bit late [to work] but they understand what’s happening today,” he said. “That’s where it all begins, that’s where it all starts. Them getting a good start with their education, that’s very important to me.”

The centers are be staffed by Mesa Public Schools teachers and staff, who are volunteering their time.

Kayla Ruhland, a history teacher at nearby Westwood High School, was volunteering at Webster during parent drop-offs.

“I’m helping out with kids and families who don’t have a place to go today,” Ruhland said. “Even though I don’t work at Webster, they feed into Westwood so it’s still the same community of people and I wanted to help out.”

Ruhland is one of the teachers who voted in favor of the walkout, saying it was an extremely tough decision. Westwood students are conducting IB testing today, and the walkout led to last minute changes in plans and study sessions.

“There was a lot of anxiety beforehand and after. This whole week has been very tense,” she said. “I don’t want them to not do well because of something like this.”

Parents had to fill out a registration form before dropping off their children and availability at the centers is on a first come, first served basis.

Special education teachers are volunteering to help students with special needs at the Eagles Community Center, formerly Mesa Junior High, on 828 E. Broadway Road.

"To parents, I understand the pain & pressure caused by today's strike. I'm working to get this 20% raise passed. Call/email your legislator & tell them to vote "yes" on a 20% pay raise for teachers [azleg.gov]. We need teachers teaching, and students learning."

Without a doubt, teachers are some of the biggest difference-makers in the lives of Arizona children. They need to be respected, and rewarded, for the work they do -- and Arizona can do better on this front. 1/3

'Non-instructional' day at W. Phoenix school

The Fowler District in West Phoenix is holding a "non-instructional" day today. At Fowler Elementary at the start of the school day, fewer kids than usual have shown up, according to district administrator Jon Rohloff.

The bell rang at 7 a.m. By then, teachers were still standing on the corner of 67th Avenue and Van Buren Street, decked out in red, waving at the cars passing by.

It's utter silence in a school parking lot that's usually "jam-packed" at this time, officials said.

-- Lily Altavena

Fewer kids than usual showed up for school at the Fowler District in West Phoenix on April 26, 2018.(Photo: Alia Rau/The Republic)

Music teachers Veronica Rivas-Castillo (left) and Kevin Joseph join thousands of Arizona teachers protesting along Baseline Road on April 25, 2018, in Mesa on the eve of a planned walkout on April 26, for higher pay and more education funding.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Dobson High teacher Shannon Lang (front) joins other Arizona teachers protesting along Baseline Road on April 25, 2018, in Mesa, on the eve of a planned walkout on April 26, for higher pay and more education funding.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Justin Besonen, a Trailside Point seventh-grade teacher, waves while parents, students, and educators supporting #RedForEd walk on 51st Ave and Baseline Road to show their support for educators on April 25, 2018.
Nick Oza/The Republic

Justin Besonen, a Trailside Point seventh-grade teacher, waves while parents, students, and educators supporting #RedForEd walk on 51st Ave and Baseline Road to show their support for educators on April 25, 2018.
Nick Oza, Nick Oza/The Arizona Republic

Justin Besonen, a Trailside Point seventh-grade teacher, waves while parents, students, and educators supporting #RedForEd walk on 51st Ave and Baseline Road to show their support for educators on April 25, 2018.
Nick Oza/The Republic

Justin Besonen, a Trailside Point seventh-grade teacher, waves while parents, students, and educators supporting #RedForEd walk on 51st Ave and Baseline Road to show their support for educators on April 25, 2018.
Nick Oza/The Republic

Desert Vista High School teacher Joanna Wilson joins thousands of Arizona teachers protesting along Baseline Road on Apr. 25, 2018 in Mesa on the eve of a planned walkout for higher pay and more education funding.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona teachers protest along Alma School and Baseline Roads on Apr. 25, 2018 in Mesa, Ariz., on the eve of a planned walkout on April 26, 2018, for higher pay and more education funding.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona teachers protest along Alma School and Baseline Roads on Apr. 25, 2018 in Mesa, Ariz., on the eve of a planned walkout on April 26, for higher pay and more education funding.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona teachers protest along Alma School and Baseline Roads on Apr. 25, 2018 in Mesa, Ariz., on the eve of a planned walkout on April 26, 2018, for higher pay and more education funding.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Michael McCasland, husband of an Arizona teacher, protests along Baseline Road on Apr. 25, 2018 in Mesa, on the eve of a planned walkout for higher pay and more education funding.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Arizona teachers protest along Alma School and Baseline Roads on Apr. 25, 2018 in Mesa, Ariz., on the eve of a planned walkout on April 26, 2018, for higher pay and more education funding.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

Paidea Academy came prepared. Its staff set five tents outside the school, which is at Baseline and 15th Street. They brought pizza and signs taped to rulers on April 25, 2018.
Alden Woods/The Republic

Bonnie Walker, a teacher from Tarwater Elementary in Chandler joins another Arizona teachers in protest along Baseline Road on Apr. 25, 2018 in Mesa, Ariz., on the eve of a planned walkout on April 26, for higher pay and more education funding.
Rob Schumacher/The Republic

#RedForEd supporters gather at Baseline Road and Seventh Street in Phoenix on April 25, 2018, near South Mountain High School. The Beatles’ “Revolution” is playing on a speaker.
Alden Woods/The Republic